Greece - Island-hopping in the Ionian Islands

The southern Ionian Islands are still relatively unknown and that is truly a shame. This cycling tour in the Ionian Islands in Greece, offers unspoiled nature, lovely beaches, and a trip in authentic Greece with small charming villages off the beaten track.

Zakynthos is a fertile island with hundreds of small narrow roads and immediately upon arrival you will experience them and ride though olive groves and vinyards.

Kefalonia is more rugged and hilly which means that you will have to handle the occasional climb. We promise that every ascent is worth the effort and promises amazing views over the turquoise seas below.

The small intimate island Ithaka is a true gem and we will virtually guarantee that you will fall in love with the place. It’s covered with forests of tall and thin cypress trees, indigenous mastic- and pine trees. Thanks to the porous limestone soil and wet winters are the islands very green and fertile. Especially during springtime a rainbow of colourful wild flowers dominate the setting.

When you arrive to Zakynthos you will be given a booklet with the day-to-day itinerary and route-notes, which serves as your guide. You luggage is transferred and will be present when you arrive at the hotel of the day. To experience the charm of the islands and to meet locals, you’ll stay in small scale family run accommodations.

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Day 1Arrival and first day of cycling

Upon arrival to Zakynthos you will be met at the airport and driven to Ambula Bay (25 minutes). Here you will be checked into your first hotel and get a chance to jump in ocean or the swimmingpool. After having settled a the hotel you emark on your first of many fantastic bike-rides. Todays route is easy (23km) and is good for getting the legs working and get the bikes tested.Accommodation: Arvanitakis App, Ambula, Tragaki, Zakynthos
Cycling distance: 23km

Day 2Off to Kefalonia

After an early breakfast you ride to the Zakynthos harbour (9km). From here you take the ferry to Kilini in mainland Greece (70 minutes). Upon arrival you switch ferry and go to Poros on Kefalonia (90 minutes). You get on your bikes and ride to from Poros to the Argostoli, the capital of Kefalonia (39km). From here you take another ferry to Lixouri (20 minutes), where you check into a 2-star city-hotel.Accommodation: Hotel Poseidon, Lixouri, Kefalonia
Cycling distance: 48km

Day 3 Ithaka

Today you ride to Sami via Agia Efimia (45km). From here you take the ferry to Piso Aetos on the island Ithaka (45 minutes), where you get on your bikes and ride to the largest city on the island, Viathi (8km). Here you check into a 4-star boutique hotel where you will be staying for 2 nights.Accommodation: Hotel Captain Yiannis, Vathi, Ithaka
Cycling distance: 53km

Day 4Relaxation

You spend the day in the beautyful city of Vathi. Here you can do some shopping, visit the archaeological museum, hike to the beautiful and remote beach, Gidaki (8km), or you get on your bikes a head to Kioni in the northern part of Ithaka. After your chosen activity you return to the 4-star boutique hotel, where you spend the night.Accommodation: Hotel Captain Yiannis, Vathi, Ithaka

Day 5Back to Kefalonia

Today you head to the harbor in Piso Aetos (8km) and get on the ferry to Sami on Kefalonia. From here you ride to Poros (24km) where you will stay at a 3-star village-hotel.Accommodation: Hotel Odysseas Palace, Poros Kefalonia
Cycling distance: 32km

Day 6Back to Zakynthos

Today you take the ferry back to Zakynthos via Kilini. When you arrive you ride to Limni Keri (21km), where you stay in family-run apartments for two nights.Accommodation: Pansion Tsi Ostrias, Limni Keri, Zakynthos
Cycling distance: 21km

Day 7Relaxation in Limni Kari

Today you can relax and enjoy Limni Kari. You can go to the beach, take a Caretta-Caretta turle-spotting tour in the bay of Laganias, hike to the mountain village of Keri (14km), or cycle around the plain of Zakynthos (48km)Accommodation: Pansion Tsi Ostrias, Limni Keri, Zakynthos

Day 8Return home

Unfortunately this is your final day on the tour. You are transferred to the airport in time to catch your flight home.

Practical info

General information

Notice: The price is based on two people sharing a double room.

This tour is a self-guided tour. We provide all accommodations, route descriptions, maps, and other practical aspects of the tour, but you are responsible for the transportation to/from the tour-start and tour-end. Upon arrival there will be a welcome meeting where you will be briefed about any relevant information related to your tour and rental-bikes.

Please note that this is a land-only price

Transportation

Notice that the flight is NOT included in the tour price. You will need to book your return flight to Zakynthos. The tour can start any day of the week between April and October.

Trip grading

This tour involves hilly terrain and a bit longer distances. You cycle on good roads, which usually don’t have much traffic. The distance is between 35 – 60 km or 20 – 38 miles. If you are capable of riding a bike and you have a normal good health, you should not worry to join these trips.

Cancellation Insurance

Cancellation Insurance is the customer's own responsibility. When you book a trip with us, you should consider whether you want to take out cancellation insurance against sudden illness, or whether you are already covered. You have to arrange the cancellation insurance in you home country.

Travel Insurance

We highly recommend that you are covered by a good travel insurance covering at least Medical Expenses, Illness, Personal Accident, Baggage and Repatriation. The customer is responsible to take the necessary travel insurance that covers these costs. Mountain Adventures, or our local partners, do not have any responsibility for our customers not being covered by a necessary travel insurance. You have to arrange your insurance in your home country.

Passports and visa

It is the customer’s responsibility to have a valid passport. It is also the customer’s responsibility to seek and obtain any necessary visa for travelling to the booked destination. Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months after the expected return. Note that there may be special visa requirements for different foreign nationalities. Please note that processing time for visas to some countries may be several weeks. Mountain Adventures have no responsibility for any lack of travel documents. Be aware of any transit visa requirements.

Vaccinations

We advise you to contact a medical specialist or your personal doctor or a licensed vaccination clinic. In case vaccination is recommended it is advised to bring your vaccination certificate when traveling.

Trip notes

When booking the trip, you will receive all relevant pre-tour information. On individual self-guided tours trip notes, maps and other destination material will be given to you upon arrival at the hotel.

Bike rental

The bikes are unisex, chosen due to its strong quality combined with maximum comfort. The bikes are equipped with lights, luggage racks, mud guards, 21 Shimano gears, a lock and a comfortable saddle. Furthermore, there is attached a water-repellent bag on the luggage rack and handlebars, and in addition you will receive a small repair kit, with relevant tools, a spare bicycle tube and a pump.
In order to individually adjust the bikes to fit you, it is important that you inform us the body height of all participants in the "comments" box when booking the trip.

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All our products can be found online, but if you want changes to a tour, then you are welcome to book a quote. When you book a quote, it is important that you describe your request as detailed as possible. We need to know the following: - Number of adults / children (and the age of the children)- What you want to do on the holiday - Hotel standards - Organization in hotel rooms - An overall budget for the holiday

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